The server is constantly evolving, and this week is no exception. Our community has been hard at work adding stunning details to our shared spaces and clocking some serious hours on the map. Let’s dive straight into the player spotlight, latest builds, and server updates.
Player Spotlight:
Zanjo Banjo
Let’s get to know Zanjo Banjo, a Humbug who is practically living in-game at this point. She’s officially earned bragging rights this week for two achievements: being the most prolific traveler on the server and clocking the highest playtime on HumbleCraft for the week! Zanjo took time out of her traveling schedule to answer some questions for the news!
You’re known for exploring far and wide and building in many different biomes. When you’re out exploring, what is the spark that makes you stop and say, “This is it, this is where my next project belongs”?
Exploring is so much fun because you never really know what you might find. Scoping out a place to build usually means I found something cool nearby in that biome – like a lush cave, trail ruins, etc. Though some of my builds are more for survival than anything. It’s nice to have little huts here and there so you can survive the night while exploring.
Instead of focusing on megabuilds, you focus on variety and atmosphere. How do you approach designing a build so that it perfectly fits the unique vibe of its specific biome?
I do notice a lot of my builds tend to follow a similar pattern and that’s often based simply on the available resources at that spot. Lots of clay? Bricks it is! Various trees and what not are used as well. For a jungle build, let’s say, I like to build a wood structure with maybe a stone foundation and then cover the sides with vines.
You always make a conscious effort to create spaces meant for other Humbugs to visit. What are a few essential elements you think every great visitor-friendly build needs to have?
A great visitor-friendly build, to me, includes good lighting, at least one bed, a storage chest, a crafting table, and a furnace. Depending on the build, for example Wayside Tavern, there’s more things there like free food and supplies in case someone finds themselves in need. There’s also a small farm for crops and horses wandering around that can be borrowed. They used to be stabled to the area but got loose at some point. Working on building a nice stable there as well. Overall, the bed and an enclosed space is the most important.
How do you design an area to encourage players to just slow down, hang out, and appreciate the space?
It helps to have all the supplies someone might need on site as well as something to do like a place to gather resources, a nice fishing hole, and some other features, such as a firepit. Then a place with beds so you don’t have to worry about nighttime and getting stuck. Lighting around the area is also important to prevent too many mobs from spawning – especially creepers trying to ruin builds!
Of all the different outposts and builds you’ve scattered across the server, which one do you think is the ultimate hidden gem that more Humbugs need to go explore?
This is a great question, I would say Humble Resort Lodge and Really Cool Lake™ are my current favorites because it’s fairly flushed out and it’s near a lush cave and fishing area. There’s plenty of beds and there’s even a “secret” storage area in the basement of the lodge with a friendly copper golem acting as the lodge manager. There’s also a little hot tub and a pond outside the lodge, but be careful, there’s some angry puffer fish in the pond!
If you had to give a piece of advice to a new builder on the server who wants to start exploring the map and leaving their own mark on the wilderness, what would it be?
Bring a bed and torches, nothing worse than being out exploring and getting caught in the dark with mobs all around you. A boat is also very helpful as well. And really, just have fun with your builds – everyone has their own unique style so embrace that!
First Impressions:
Aesthetics at Spawn
Coming in right behind Zanjo in playtime this week is TFZ, and she has been putting those hours to incredible use working on her second portal at spawn. While her first portal was a massive, detailed group project featuring immersive nether biomes and a clever secret room, this new creation takes a beautiful turn in the opposite direction.
TFZ is creating a stunning, white marbled masterpiece punctuated by vibrant flowers. She never misses a detail; even though the portal is still a work in progress, you can already see how thoughtfully she has extended the surrounding flower fields right along the river line. To top it all off, she even added a charming small creek that flows directly into the nearby willow tree pond. It’s absolutely gorgeous, and we can’t wait to see it completely finished!
On HumbleCraft, Spawn is the ultimate group build. In conversation, TFZ commented that spawn is so important because when a new player spawns in the first time… well, it’s the first experience they have with what HumbleCraft is all about! The goal is always to encourage as many Humbugs to contribute as possible while maintaining a sense of connection and cohesion across the builds.
Every corner of spawn tells a story of collaboration: Neilo and his acacia bridge, built in the beginning of the server so all Humbugs could access the village and farms nearby. Ricky’s community storage center keeps everyone stocked with free, player-donated supplies and essential workstations. Gizario’s parkour bridge to the Nether-themed spawn portal. Xrogg’s community lava farm. Stout’s Humble Post office ensures item and gift-sharing is seamless. Chill Wild Bill’s Lodge which offers a safe place to rest at spawn and also houses the HPM offices free of charge! Cosmic Dragon’s lighthouse, a beacon to spawn and also houses a massive storage system by Mad Monks for shared items. Which pairs perfectly with Master Jelly’s dock and boats bringing the lore and immersion to the server. Queen Layla created a server-wide map gazebo so we could watch our spawn progression. And Zanjo Banjo’s pop-up llama stand, and flower garden to bring the humor and storytelling to the server.
Seeing everyone pitch in on these builds and freely donate to the shared supplies is a perfect reminder of what HumbleCraft is all about. We’re at our best when we’re building together and looking out for the next Humbug who steps through the portal.
Tracking Our Journey
Want to see how our recent adventures fit into the bigger picture? The server timeline has been fully updated. A huge shoutout to this week’s top three most active players: Zanjo Banjo leading the pack, followed by TFZ, and Xrogg rounding out the top three. Also of note: Sunday appears to be the day the most Humbugs can gather on the server. Should we plan a Sunday meet up in the gaming district?!
Quick News
- Weekly map updates have been completed!
- HumbleCraft has joined the 2GB world club. We’re chonky (in a good way).
- Friendly reminder that we have logos available for use on the Resources page.
- Check out this music video! (Music by Neverending Sandbox and video by Gizario)